Porsche 919 hybrid Le Mans racer unveiled

First images of Porsche's new hybrid endurance racer at Geneva Motor Show

This is the new Porsche 919 hybrid Le Mans racer. Porsche has made no secret of its return to Le Mans and the new hybrid endurance racer has debuted at the Geneva Motor Show.

The Porsche 919 Hybrid LMP1 car has eschewed the famous ‘Martini’ racing colours and uses a minimalist black and white design instead. And like all the front-runners at the famous 24 hour race it features a closed cockpit and massive aero rear wing.

Alongside the 919, Porsche also presented the 911 RSR hybrid – and the size comparison between the two shows just how compact the 200mph + LMP1 cars really are.

As has been widely reported, the new 919 uses a radical new 2.0-litre V4 petrol engine coupled to an electric motor and hybrid system – which should set it apart from the diesel-electric Audi LMP1 car that dominated at last year’s race.

The engine gains extra power from a Formula One-style KERS energy recovery system and trick exhaust recirculation and its full performance potential will be revealed at an official event at the Geneva show, with ex-F1 driver Mark Webber – who is set to drive the 919 at Le Mans – in attendance.

The brand’s return to Le Mans after a long absence has been designed to validate the sporting credentials of a four-cylinder engine – with a four-cylinder version of the Macan, Boxster and Cayman all due to go on sale within the next two years.